Houston, Texas, is apparently home to the most dangerous stretch of road in the United States.
According to Popular Mechanics, Interstate 45 sees 56.5 fatal accidents for every 100 miles of highway. The worst section runs right through the Bayou City.
While the publication couldn’t point to any specific features that make I-45 so treacherous, local officials cited the routine flouting of traffic laws – driving at excessive speeds, intoxicated driving, and texting while driving – as the primary culprit.
Two Other Texas Highways Among 25 Most Dangerous Roads
Two other highways in the Lone Star State made Popular Mechanics’ list of the 25 Most Dangerous Roads in the nation.
U.S. Highway 83, which stretches from the Canadian border south to the Mexico border, passing through the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, took fifth place. According to the publication, this roadway’s southern-most portion in Texas averages one death every other week.
Meanwhile, U.S. Route 175 ranked 15th, averaging about 0.7 deaths per mile. More than half of those fatalities occur in the Dallas area.
A key connector road for the state and an alternative route to the interstates in the area, as well as a major thoroughfare for students traveling to Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Popular Mechanics suggested the carnage along U.S. 175 in Dallas has more to do with the area’s high population density than the roadway itself or its features.
Houston Leads Texas in Traffic-Related-Fatalities
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the Lone Star State records more than 3,700 traffic fatalities every year. Despite increased efforts to reduce the number of highway deaths, the Houston Metro Region continued to lead Texas in traffic-related fatalities last year.
“No one should die on Houston’s streets, especially in a preventable crash — virtually all crashes are preventable,” Jonathan Brooks, director of policy and planning for LINK Houston, a transportation advocacy group that urges more equitable investment across local communities, recently told The Houston Chronicle.
According to the Chronicle’s analysis of 16 years of federal highway data, the nine-county Houston Metro Region is the most dangerous metro area in the nation for drivers, their passengers, and anyone who might be standing in their path.
Not only does the Houston area lead the country’s 12 largest metro regions in fatal drunk driving crashes, but it also ranks second for deadly crashes per capita and for fatal wrecks that involve speeding.
Only Dallas sees more crashes caused by a driver slamming into stopped congestion on the freeway.
Safe Driving Practices Reduce the Risk of Houston Car Accidents
To reduce the risk for deadly and serious accidents, motorists in Texas and elsewhere should always observe safe driving practices:
- Be courteous to other drivers
- All riders should always buckle up, day and night
- Pay attention and avoid distractions, focus 100% on driving
- Put the phone away or turn it off anytime you’re behind the wheel.
- Drive a safe speed and adjust based upon traffic, road, and weather conditions
- Stop for all stop signs and red lights.
- Pass carefully, and only when it’s legal and safe.
- Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking other drugs.
- Avoid medications that cause drowsiness.
- Slow down or move over for flashing lights, law enforcement vehicles, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or other vehicles that may be stopped on the side of the road.
Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consultation.
In addition to being Undefeated, our Houston Accident Lawyers have won billions for thousands of crash victims and families in Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States, including the Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas for 2019.
If you or someone you love were injured or tragically killed in a car accident or other motor vehicle crash, call 1-888-603-3636, use the “chat” button on our homepage, or click here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Us” form.
All consultations are free, and because we work on a contingency fee, you won’t owe us a cent unless we win your case.
Call 1-888-603-3636 or click here to send us an email through our “Contact Us” form.